MONTREAL — Former first lady Michelle Obama delighted and captivated her Montreal audience on Monday night, highlighting education and gender equality in an hour-long chat. Months after her husband delivered a speech to a sold-out crowd, it was her turn to take the stage. Obama took part...

MONTREAL — Former first lady Michelle Obama delighted and captivated her Montreal audience on Monday night, highlighting education and gender equality in an hour-long chat.

Months after her husband delivered a speech to a sold-out crowd, it was her turn to take the stage.

Obama took part in an hour-long question-and-answer session in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 10,000 people at the city’s convention centre.

Obama highlighted the importance of education for youth to reach their full potential, regardless of the colour of their skin.

But, she added, adults had a role to play by setting examples and providing confidence — in particular for little girls who see few women in positions of power.

“I say that to all the fathers, brothers and husbands in this room,” Obama said. “If you are not making space for women in your offices, just think about what that’s doing to the girls that you think you love.

“Those messages, that are subliminal, that we as women get every single day,” she added.

She participated in a discussion with Sevrine Labelle, the president of an organization that supports female entrepreneurs.

Obama emphasized the importance of appointing women to leadership positions and higher political positions.

“Don’t get me wrong, men, we all need to be at the table,” Obama said. “Right now, women are so absent at so many tables. People of colour with different experiences are so absent.”

The event was organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, which also organized last year’s event featuring former U.S. president Barack Obama — who drew 7,900 people to his talk in June.

Attendees paid between $60 and more than $520 to see the former first lady. Organizers also provided 2,000 complimentary tickets so some Montreal youth could attend.